A Basket in the Bulrushes
During Joseph’s lifetime, the Egyptians treated the people of Israel kindly. Sometime after Joseph died, a king who cared nothing for Joseph or the Israelites began to rule Egypt.
This king said, “Let us rule these Israelites more strictly and make them work hard for Egypt.” He was afraid the Israelites would become too numerous and powerful. He commanded that all the Israelite baby boys be killed.
At this crucial time, a lovely little boy was born to an Israelite family. For a while his mother hid him, but soon she had to make other plans for her active, noisy baby. How could she save him from the Egyptians? Surely God would provide a way.
She made a little ark, or basket, from tall weeds that grew by the river. She covered it with pitch to keep out the water. Then she put her baby into the basket and placed it among the bushes at the edge of the river. She also sent her twelve-year-old daughter, Miriam, to watch close by.
Soon Pharaoh’s daughter and her maids came down to the river to bathe, and they spotted the basket. The princess sent her maid to get it. When they opened the basket, the little baby began to cry.
“This is an Israelite baby!” the princess exclaimed. She loved him at once.
Then Miriam, who had been watching, asked if she should get a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. The princess agreed, and Miriam ran to get her mother.
When Miriam’s mother came, Pharaoh’s daughter said, “Take this child and nurse him, and I will pay you for it.” So the mother happily took her child home again. There she taught him all the ways of the Lord.
When the child was old enough to leave his mother, the princess took him into her own home in the palace. She named him Moses.
Exodus 1; 2:1-10
Pharaoh’s daughter discovers baby Moses in a basket.
Parents:
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. (Hebrews 11:24-25)
Children:
1. What was the name of the baby who was put in the basket?
2. Why did his mother put him there?
3. Who found the little baby?